All of Nightwing’s Costumes, Ranked

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Nightwing, initially known as Boy Wonder, is the head of the Titans and one of the most significant and impactful heroes within the DC Universe. He debuted earlier than many of DC’s major characters and has consistently demonstrated what it takes to be a hero amidst numerous other heroes, ever since his role as Robin began. Since Nightwing has been around for quite some time, it’s only logical that he’s worn more costumes than the average character. In today’s discussion, we’ll examine all of these costumes and rank them from least favored to most favored. By the conclusion of this list, I believe you will recognize that Nightwing’s top fashion choices rank among the best in comics, while his lower-ranked costumes are truly subpar.

10) Ric Grayson

This suit causes discomfort for me. Although the design itself isn’t flawed, its lack of distinctiveness is its main issue. It resembles a budget hero costume from an old television show rerun, and it fails to convey that it is Nightwing’s outfit. The sleeveless jumper over the bright shirt feels oddly out-of-place. However, what truly undermines this suit is its association with Dick Grayson’s amnesia storyline, where he adopted the name Ric Grayson and distanced himself from the Bat Family and heroism. This storyline is widely regarded as one of Nightwing’s weakest arcs, and it also overshadows other versions of Nightwing. The black variant of this suit was even less memorable, making it fair to say that this suit is simply poor in design.

9) Renegade

As a dedicated movie buff, let me reminisce about the gritty transformation of Nightwing in the 1996 comic book series, specifically issue #112. In an effort to maintain tranquility in Bludhaven, our beloved vigilante took on an undercover role within Deathstroke’s gang, adopting a daring persona known as Renegade. This transformation included a sleek red and rust-toned suit that melded seamlessly into the shadows – quite a cool visual touch!

However, the costume had its drawbacks. While the Batman-inspired elongated gloves and boots were spot on, the mask left much to be desired. Instead of his traditional domino mask, Nightwing opted for a Wally West-style cowl with an exposed top for his hair. Frankly, I think this mask clashed with his established image. Although it might have been intentional, it felt a bit too extreme for my personal taste. All in all, not a bad costume, but one that carries more negatives than positives in my book.

8) Gold Trim

The gold-edged suit was Nightwing’s second costume, appearing in the ’90s. You might have noticed it. This version of his Discowing suit was as flamboyant as comic books were back then. It had so many details! The mask’s points covered most of his face, and golden lines ran around his whole back, dangling like wings he could unfurl. But the suit wasn’t the only eye-catching part; Dick Grayson sported an impressive mullet hairstyle. Although I admire the effort to grow such a hairstyle, it doesn’t quite blend with the already busy costume design. Your eyes are constantly drawn to different parts of the suit, making it overwhelming and hard to focus.

7) Spheric Solutions

In a twist of events orchestrated by a mischievous fifth-dimensional imp named Nite-Mite, who happens to be a Nightwing devotee, Titans Tower became a battleground from another realm after an assault by the Zanni. To protect him in this hostile environment, Nightwing donned a suit crafted by Spheric Solutions, which is fortified with Kappa energy that harms fifth-dimensional beings. The blue accents on this armor stand out against the black, but I find it too bulky for Nightwing’s agile fighting style. Although the side blue lines and most of the design are acceptable, the diminutive logo seems out of character compared to his usual larger, more prominent ones. However, I must admit that I appreciate the boots and leg patterns, in spite of everything. All things considered, it’s not a terrible suit, but I’m relieved it was only temporary.

6) Rebirth

Following numerous years of wearing red and regular spy attire as Grayson, Nightwing has reverted to his iconic black-and-blue costume once more. While this outfit shares similarities with his classic design, there are subtle alterations. The finger stripes have been removed, and the emblem at the center now sports a bird head at its peak, accompanied by blue accents encircling the upper part of his calves. His mask is also colored blue rather than black as usual. In essence, this is a robust suit without any significant flaws. It may not stand out exceptionally, but it serves its purpose admirably. However, it fails to surpass other options on this list due to the absence of features that could elevate it. Despite its excellence, it lacks the lasting impact of its counterparts.

5) New 52

The New 52 reboot marked Dick Grayson’s return as Nightwing and introduced a new color scheme for him, predominantly red and black, aligning with other members of the Bat Family at that time. The vibrant red stands out significantly against the backdrop of black, and the red accents on his hips, neck, and mask provide contrast and enhance the overall design. While this redesign is strong, it’s worth noting that the suit features an excessive amount of lines which can be overpowering. This design choice is consistent with the New 52 style as a whole. Despite this, the suit remains impressive and offers a fresh take on Nightwing. However, I must admit that I have always favored the blue color scheme for Nightwing, given his transformation into a more vibrant character in recent years.

4) Discowing

The initial Nightwing suit, famously nicknamed “Discowing” by fans, is known for being a symbol of its era. Featuring three varying shades of blue, golden feather trimming, and a deep V-neck plunging halfway down Dick’s torso, this costume truly encapsulates the ’80s. Yet, despite its vibrant and flamboyant appearance, I can’t help but appreciate it. This suit marked Dick’s first step towards creating his own identity, influenced by Batman and Superman as his guiding figures. It’s eye-catching, over-the-top, and incredibly enjoyable. “Discowing” beautifully captures the excitement of striking out on one’s own and defining one’s unique identity. At the same time, it showcases Dick’s confidence to be bold and true to himself, while also shining brighter than Batman. Ultimately, superhero costumes should primarily be entertaining and expressive rather than merely stylish, and “Discowing” might just take the cake as Dick’s most enjoyable suit. It’s unique in a good way for a reason.

3) Classic

The third design of Nightwing’s suit has become his signature, embodying the ideal blend of light and darkness. Its predominantly black fabric contrasted with striking blue accents gives it a streamlined appearance, and the logo stands out remarkably well. Distinctive features like armored wrist guards and boot tops lend a practical military uniform aesthetic to the suit, fitting perfectly with Nightwing’s historical narrative. While the bulkier elements of the costume might seem somewhat incongruous alongside its sleekness, they would eventually give way to the now iconic finger stripes that run from his emblem down both arms. This design is not only simple but also remarkable, setting a standard for all future Nightwing costumes to aspire to. It’s this suit that truly encapsulates Nightwing’s unique identity.

2) Superwing

In Nightwing #103 (2016), the malevolent character Neron attempted to lure Nightwing with a bargain: temporary superpowers in exchange for a deal. For two hours, Nightwing was endowed with the abilities of a Kryptonian and a connection to the Speed Force, along with an enhanced suit. However, he declined the offer, but the modification to his costume left a lasting impact.

The golden accents on this new costume cleverly echoed aspects of his first two suits. The gold seemed to radiate against the black background and blue details, giving it an eye-catching appearance. Every gold detail was striking, from the sides to the mask, but the most impressive aspect was the logo where the gold formed a small bird symbol within a larger design – truly stylish!

This suit is dynamic, and gazing at it brings about the same playful nostalgia that Superman’s Silver Age costume does. It’s an effortless score of ten out of ten!

1) Redondo Redesign

The original Nightwing outfit laid the foundation, but it was masterfully refined by artist Bruno Redondo. Everything about this attire exudes elegance and seamlessly harmonizes. There’s no excess lines or bulky padding; instead, it features a streamlined, black fabric that’s so smooth you can hardly discern where his gloves or boots start. The blue is significantly more vivid than previous versions, standing out starkly against the black background, which is nothing short of inspired. Moreover, this design reintroduced the beloved blue finger stripes that were missed for over a decade. Keeping the mask blue as well adds even more vibrancy to the entire ensemble. It encapsulates the essence of Nightwing – one of DC’s most optimistic characters who always brings color to an otherwise grim world. This is the epitome of a Nightwing costume, and I think every future suit will be judged against this one, setting the standard for quality.

Behold Nightwing’s collection of suits, arranged from least favorite to most preferred. The crime-fighting hero of Bludhaven has donned quite a variety of outfits over time, some more successful than others. Yet, there’s always something admirable in each suit, even if it requires a bit of scrutiny to find it. Overall, it’s undeniable that Nightwing embodies fashionable heroism and will continue to do so well into the future.

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2025-08-27 18:16